Celebrity Xcel, the fifth ship in Royal Caribbean Group’s Edge Series, entered U.S. waters for the first time when it docked in Fort Lauderdale, Florida, on November 14, 2025. The arrival marks a key milestone in the company’s fleet‑expansion plan, adding a vessel that can carry up to 3,260 passengers at double occupancy and boosting the group’s overall capacity by roughly 10%.
The new ship is part of a broader pipeline that includes seven additional vessels slated for delivery through 2028, such as the Legend of the Seas, Icon 4, and the Oasis 7. By adding Celebrity Xcel, Royal Caribbean is reinforcing its commercial flywheel strategy, which relies on higher passenger volumes and increased onboard spend to drive revenue growth.
Celebrity Xcel introduces seven new onboard experiences that are designed to attract guests and encourage higher ancillary spending. The ship features a three‑story marketplace called The Bazaar, a Mediterranean‑inspired rooftop restaurant named Bora, a dedicated Celebrity Pool Club, an adults‑only lounge called Attic at The Club, a flagship retail store, an expanded spa with a Hydra Room and Vitamin D Deck, and enhanced entertainment venues. These additions are expected to lift average daily spend per passenger by 5–7% compared with earlier Edge‑class ships.
Royal Caribbean’s recent financial results underscore the strategic value of the new vessel. In the second quarter of 2025, the group reported an adjusted earnings per share of $4.38 and raised its full‑year 2025 adjusted EPS guidance to $15.41–$15.55, up from the prior range of $15.00–$15.20. Net income rose 56% year‑over‑year, and net margins increased 44% year‑over‑year, reflecting strong demand, pricing power, and disciplined cost management. The arrival of Celebrity Xcel is positioned to sustain this momentum by expanding capacity and creating new revenue streams.
"With each new ship, we raise the bar for the ultimate vacation experience – and Celebrity Xcel stands in a class of her own," said Jason Liberty, Chairman and CEO of Royal Caribbean Group. Laura Hodges Bethge, President of Celebrity Cruises, added, "Celebrity Xcel was thoughtfully designed with our guests in mind to be the happy place of vacationers globally." Their comments highlight the company’s focus on guest experience and innovation as drivers of future growth.
The ship will operate seven‑night itineraries from Fort Lauderdale to Caribbean destinations, and it is slated to begin a European season in summer 2026, sailing from Barcelona and Athens. Celebrity Xcel was delivered on October 23, 2025, and its christening by godmother Janaína Torres is scheduled for November 16, 2025.
The debut of Celebrity Xcel strengthens Royal Caribbean’s competitive position in the cruise market, providing a modern, high‑capacity platform that can capture growing demand for premium onboard experiences while supporting the group’s broader strategy of capacity expansion and revenue growth. The ship’s arrival is a tangible step toward realizing the company’s long‑term growth objectives and enhancing shareholder value.
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